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Contribution of calcium-conducting channels to the transport of zinc ions

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Abstract

Zinc (Zn) is a vital nutrient participating in a myriad of biological processes. The mechanisms controlling its transport through the plasma membrane are far from being completely understood. Two families of eukaryotic zinc transporters are known to date: the Zip (SLC39) and ZnT (SLC30) proteins. In addition, some types of plasmalemmal calcium (Ca)-conducting channels are implied in the cellular uptake of zinc. These ion channels are currently described as systems dedicated to the transport of Ca (and, to some extent, sodium (Na) ions). However, a growing body of evidence supports the view that some of them can also function as pathways for Zn transport. For instance, voltage-gated Ca channels and some types of glutamate-gated receptors have long been known to allow the entry of Zn. More recently, members of the TRP superfamily, another type of Ca-conducting channels, have been shown to permit the uptake of Zn into eukaryotic cells. The aim of this review article is to present the current knowledge supporting the notion that Ca-conducting channels take part in the plasmalemmal transport of Zn.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank J. Gibon for his helpful comments and suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UMR CNRS 5249, Grenoble, France

    Alexandre Bouron

  2. CEA, DSV, IRTSV, Grenoble, France

    Alexandre Bouron

  3. Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France

    Alexandre Bouron

  4. Institut für Physiologie und Pathophysiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, 35037, Marburg, Germany

    Johannes Oberwinkler

  5. Laboratoire de Chimie et Biologie des Métaux, CEA, 17 rue des Martyrs, 38054, Grenoble, France

    Alexandre Bouron

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Correspondence to Alexandre Bouron.

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Bouron, A., Oberwinkler, J. Contribution of calcium-conducting channels to the transport of zinc ions. Pflugers Arch - Eur J Physiol 466, 381–387 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00424-013-1295-z

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